Drug seizure drops down in Punjab

New Delhi: Although drug seizure in the country has increased by a whopping 63 per cent in 2016 from the previous year, yet, interestingly, in Punjab, where the drug menace was one of the major issues in the run up to the recently concluded assembly elections with opposition parties vowing to make the state drug-free, the drug seizure saw a fall between 2014 and 2016.

Last year, 29,689 kg of drugs were seized, almost 47,744 kg less than 2014 in the state, according to the official data

As per a report prepared by Central anti-narcotic agencies, a total of 2,37,973 kg drugs were recovered in 2015, while last year, the quantity jumped to 3,89,742 kg, an increase of 1,51,769 kg or 63.77 per cent.

The figures show a surge in drug trafficking.

However, there has been a decline in the recovery of narcotic and psychotropic substances in Punjab where the drug menace was one of the major poll issues.

A total of 77,433 kg drugs including ganja, hashish, heroin and, poppy husk and poppy straw were seized in 2014, while in 2015, the quantity went down with 38,040 kg of seizure in Punjab.

Last year, 29,689 kg of drugs were seized, almost 47,744 kg less than 2014 in the state, according to the official data.

As per the Centre’s estimates, a total of 3,48,933 kg of drugs have been destroyed by drug law enforcement agencies between 2014 and 2016.

The seized drugs have been disposed of by the Drug Disposal Committee after obtaining order from courts.

In a bid to prevent drug trafficking in the country, the Centre has taken a number of steps which include increased international cooperation for exchange of information and strict surveillance through various government agencies including para-military forces.

Of the 3,89,742 kg drugs seized across the country in 2016, a record 2,69,453 kg were destroyed.

Whereas in 2015, only 6,565 kg of narcotic and psychotropic substances were destroyed. PTI